Trichy school to set up hostel for transsexual kids

TRICHY: Transsexual children are often disowned by their parents and end up on the streets. In an effort to lend a helping hand to these children, a school in Trichy is building a dedicated hostel for them on its premises.
On Saturday, Sri Sivananda Balalaya CBSE School, Adavathur Palayam, along with Shakthi Rotary, launched ‘Siva-Shakthi’, laying the foundation stone for the hostel, which can accommodate 40 children. “The school will take responsibility of their psychological, legal and medical counselling till they turn 18. It will mentally prepare them to face the world, and we will also send them to college so that they can pursue their higher studies,” said Maj Gen NRK Babu (retd), correspondent and CEO of Swami Sivananda Vidhya Samiti, which runs the school.
One of the factors that inspired Babu to start such an initiative was a meeting with Priya, a 19-year-old transsexual forced to drop out of school when she was in Class 10. Abandoned by her family when she was just 15, Priya approached the Tamil Nadu Transgender Association for help. Babu, who heard about her plight, helped her find accommodation and complete her schooling through the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS). Knowing of her interest in Bharatanatyam, Babu also helped her learn the dance form.
TN has always been at the forefront of transsexual reform. It was the first state to grant ‘third gender’ status to transsexuals. The transsexual welfare board, the first in the country, was established in April 2008 and April 15 is now marked as Transgender Day. As per the 2011 census, there are 4.9 lakh transsexuals in India though activists estimate the number to be seven times higher.
‘Siva-Shakthi’promises to provide a conducive environment for transsexual as well as gender non-conforming children, many of whom are abandoned by their families due to societal pressure. “About three to five children end up on the streets on a daily basis. It is our social responsibility to give parents another option – instead of disowning their children, they can put them in this hostel until they turn 18,” said Babu. The hostel, which is being built at a cost of more than 30 lakh, will ensure that the children have a safe place to stay, and complete their education so that they can lead a life of dignity. The facility will be like any other hostel but we are looking for sponsors who can take care of the food and boarding for those who cannot afford it,” he said.
Lauding it as a first-of-its-kind initiative in the state, S Shankari, former member, child welfare committee, Trichy, said it will take some more years for society to accept such children. In the meantime, helping to mainstream these children through such intervention will help prevent them from being victimised, she said.